The bill will impose three years' minimum jail term and five years' maximum incarceration on those who engage in and promote homosexual activities in the country.
The passage of the bill came after Parliament had taken the bill through the second consideration stage, making it the third time it was taken through the second stage consideration.
If assented to by the President, the bill, which enjoyed overwhelming support of members of the House, will criminalise and prohibit pro-gay advocacy, as well as those who fund the activities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, among other such people.
The bi-partisan private members’ bill was introduced to Parliament on August 2, 2021, and the Speaker referred it to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
The Members of Parliament (MP) on the side of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are the sponsors of the anti-LGBTQI+ bill together with an MP of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The MPs are Samuel Nartey George, MP for Ningo-Prampram; Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, MP for Ho West; Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi, and Helen Adjoa Ntoso, MP for Krachi East.
The rest are Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, MP for La Dadekotopon; Della Sowah, MP for Kpando and Alhasan Sayibu Suhuyini, MP for Tamale North, and the New Patriotic Party MP for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour.
Concerns raised against anti-LGBTQ+ bill
However, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Founder and Chairman of Africa Prosperity Network, has said the enactment of a more stringent anti-LGBTQ+ bill poses a threat to the advocacy for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
He emphasized the repercussions that the anti-LGBTQ+ bill could have once President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo grants his assent.
Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, has expressed serious concerns about Ghana's approval of the anti-gay bill.
She warned that if enacted, it could incite violence, impede access to life-saving services, and undermine fundamental liberties, potentially hindering Ghana's developmental progress.
Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Board Chair of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), on her part has conveyed her disappointment regarding Parliament's approval of the bill.
Dr. Amanda Odoi, a gender activist and research fellow with the Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy, and Documentation (CEGRAD), has issued a warning of potential legal action if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo signs the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The Ministry of Finance also called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to refrain from signing the recently passed Anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law.
According to the Ministry, if the bill is signed into law, it will affect have severe repercussions on the country's financial support from international organisations like the Bretton Woods Institutions.
The statement highlighted concerns that the expected US$300 million financing from the First Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), currently awaiting Parliamentary approval, might not be disbursed if the bill is signed into law.